WELSH NATIONAL FOLK DANCE SOCIETY

GUIDELINES FOR ADJUDICATION OF

WELSH FOLK AND CLOG DANCING

   
Guidelines  for  Adjudication  of  Welsh  Folk  and  Clog  Dancing  
 
A  sub-­‐committee  of  the  Welsh  National  Folk  Dance  Society  (WNFDS)  has  prepared  guidelines  for  the  
adjudication  of  folk  dance  and  clogging.  Other  members  of  the  Executive  Committee  have  already  
given  their  input  into  the  guideline.  The  Society’s  intention  is  to  give  an  opportunity  for  everyone  to  
discuss  the  guidelines  at  further  meetings  in  possibly  five  areas  of  Wales.  The  Urdd,  as  well  as  
WNFDS,  would  like  to  see  guidelines  made  available  to  the  many  judges  that  are  needed  in  all  the  
Urdd’s  Eisteddfodau.  The  latest  draft  of  the  guidelines  is  attached.  

 
List  of  Dance  Adjudicators  
 
WNFDS  and  the  Urdd  would  also  like  a  list  of  folk  dance  and  clogging  adjudicators  to  be  made  
available.  A  number  of  names  of  potential  adjudicators  have  already  been  collected  from  some  
areas.  We  would  therefore  be  pleased  to  receive  the  names  of  those  who  may  be  interested  and  have  
the  necessary  experience  or  background  to  be  included  on  the  list  of  adjudicators.  This  would  include  
those  who  currently  adjudicate  and  those  wishing  to  put  their  names  forward  for  the  first  time.  All  
those  who  have  already  adjudicated  nationally  would  be  automatically  included,  if  they  so  wish.  
Those  wishing  to  be  included  should  be  prepared  to  have  a  working  knowledge  of  the  Society’s  
adjudication  guidelines.    
 
To  be  included  on  the  list  of  adjudicators,  a  brief  resume  of  experience,  background  and  contact  
details  will  be  required  as  indicated  in  the  attached  appendix  (by  email  if  possible).  When  a  person  is  
nominated,  their  permission  must  be  sought  first.  Anyone  wishing  to  remain  on  the  list  in  the  future  
should  ideally  be  a  member  of  the  WNDFS  in  order  that  details  and  particulars  can  be  updated  and  to  
be  made  aware  of  future  publications,  amendments  to  the  guidelines  and  courses.  It  is  the  intention  
of  the  Society  to  run  courses  in  the  near  future  for  those  showing  an  interest  in  adjudicating.    
 
CCDWC/WNDFS  -­‐  Tachwedd/November  2013  
   
Introduction    

 The  Adjudicators  need  to  

1. be  aware  of  the  requirements  of  the  competition,  and  the  general  rules  of  the  dance  section  
2. when  a  dance  is  set,  know  the  dance  well  –  preferably  see  it  danced,  before  adjudicating    
3. be  aware  of  the  background  and  historical  context  of  the  dance  and  intended  style  e.g.  court,  
fair,  etc  
4. when  co-­‐adjudicating,  meet  beforehand  to  discuss  the  dances  –  decide  what  is  acceptable  
and  what  is  not.  Be  aware  of  interpretations  and/or  variations  which  may  make  the  dance  
easier  or  more  interesting.  Know  where  there  may  be  difficulties  etc  
5. give  a  positive  adjudication  -­‐  include  strengths  as  well  as  elements  to  improve    
6. be  flexible  with  the  guidelines  when  adjudicating  varying  standards  of  competition  such  as  
school  and  young  teams  e.g.  dance  costume    
7. when  adjudicating  stepping/clogging,  be  familiar  with  the  clogging  DVD  and  clogging  
publications  
8. remember  that  marks  for  individual  aspects  are  only  there  for  guidance  
9. give  a  final  mark  at  the  end  of  an  adjudication  as  follows    
• 90-­‐100:  a  performance  of  a  high  standard  and  of  exceptional  quality  that  has  
satisfied  all  the  requirements  of  the  competition.    
• 80-­‐89:    a  commendable  performance  that  meets  the  requirements  of  the  competition  
in  all  major  aspects.  
• 70-­‐79:  a  performance  of  an  acceptable  standard  but  does  not  completely  meet  the  
requirements  of  the  competition  in  every  aspect.  
• Up  to  69:    a  performance  that  meets  the  broad  requirements  but  attention  needs  to  
be  given  to  some  important  aspects.  
 
 
   
Guidelines  for  the  Adjudication  of  Folk  Dance    
Aspect   Details   Weight  
 
a)   Suitable/appropriate  for  the  dance  
Entrance   Impact-­‐"there  is  only  one  opportunity  to  make  that  first   5  
b)  
impression"    
a)   Suitable/appropriate  for  the  dance  
Exit   5  
b)   possibly  an  opportunity  for  audience  appreciation  
costume  and  accessories  such  as  ribbons,  handkerchiefs,  
a)  
flowers,  etc.,  appropriate  to  the  dance  
Appearance   b)   dress,  shoes  and  accessories  as  appropriate   10  

c)   dress  and  shoes  appropriate  to  the  age  group  

a)   an  essential  part  of  the  performance  

the  instrument(s)  to  contribute  positively  to  the  
b)  
performance  without  losing  the  tune  
to  assist  the  dancers,  as  regards  appropriate  speed,  definite  
c)  
rhythm  and  good  phrasing.    
good  co-­‐ordination  and  understanding  between  the  
Music   d)   10  
dancers  and  the  musician(s)  themselves  
good  co-­‐ordination  and  understanding  between  the  
e)  
musicians  themselves  
f)   the  set  tune  when  noted  to  be  obvious  
when  used,  the  choice  of  alternative  tunes  to  be  
g)  
appropriate  for  the  dance  
accurate  and  true  to  the  dance  instructions  and  to  the  
a)  
music  instructions  
any  variety  (if  seen  in  the  2nd,  etc.  verses)  to  be  
Interpretation   b)   30  
appropriate  to  the  original  dance  
to  be  aware  of  any  published  notes  regarding  the  context  of  
c)  
the  dance  
good  posture  -­‐  strong  core,  relaxed  arms  and  shoulders,  
a)  
body  over  feet  etc.  
b)   light  stepping  to  the  accompaniment  
c)   artistic  use  of  the  arms,  hands  and  head  
d)   balanced  stage  positioning  
awareness  of  the  dance's  space  and  of  the  individual's  
e)  
space    
Performance   f)   Anticipate  and  flow  through  each  dance  section.   40  

g)   clear  patterns  
h)   clear  phrasing,  flowing  from  one  pattern  to  the  other    
i)   clean  stepping  e.g.  Hoffedd  ap  Hywel  
good  interaction  with  the  other  dancers  and  with  the  
j)  
audience  
awareness  of  the  needs  of  the  dance  regarding  individual  
k)  
posture  and  expression  
   
    Clogging/Stepping  Adjudication  Guidelines    
The  "stepping"  section  is,  virtually  a  translation  of  the  4  sections  of  the  "Adjudication  Grid"    
created  in    2005  in  the  document  "Guidelines  to  Teachers,  Cloggers  and  Adjudicators"  
Folk  dance  guidelines  should  be  used  in  conjunction  with  the  following  guidelines  when  adjudicating  dances  
such  as    Dawns  y  Marchog,  Hudoles,  Morfa  Rhuddlan  etc  –  i.e.  folk  dances  which  include  some  stepping    

 Stepping   Weight  

Clarity   a)   Did  the  steps  sound  clear  and  precise?  No  scuffing  or  muffled  sounds.  
How  many  steps  were  danced  in  the  routine?  Repeating  steps  
a)   throughout  a  performance  will  not  contend  well  with  a  dancer  who  has  
a  wider  range  of  steps.  
Variety  
   

b)   Did  the  routine  vary  in  both  sound  (powerful  and  soft)  and  rhythm  

a)   How  complex,  clever  or  inventive  was  the  routine?  

Simple  stepping  done  well  is  of  course  a  very  good  idea.  However  
Complexity   b)  
dancers  who  have  worked  
It  is  hard  to  develop  new  or  intricate  steps  and  dance  them  well,  this  
  will  gain  higher  marks.  
A  dancer  must  perform  heel  and  toe  stepping.  No  shuffling  or  triples  
a)  
without  the  use  of  the  heel  
   
60  
b)   Were  the  steps  locked  at  the  end  of  8  or  16  bars?  
Did  the  dancer  step  dance  and  not  simply  dance  in  clogs.  Long  
c)  
sequences  without  percussive    rhythm  should  be  avoided  
   
When  a  theme  is  seen/given,  the  emphasis  should  be  on  the  stepping.  
d)  
Traditional?   Accept  abstract  and  storytelling  routines  when  a  theme  is  seen  
   
Confident  dancing  is  expected  with  the  men  exhibiting  strength  whilst  
e)  
the  women  display  lighter  movements.  
When  using  props,  these  should  usually  be  picked  up  and  put  down  as  
part  of  the  dance  rather  than  be  indifferently  discarded.  Tricks  should  
 
be  performed  by  men  only  

   
   
 

Confidence  and  Performance   Weight  

a)   Clogs  /  shoes  to  be  tidy  and  appropriate  to  the  needs  of  the  dance  
Appearance   b)   Dress  appropriate  to  the  needs  of  the  dance   10  
c)   If  relevant,  any  props  used  to  be  appropriate,    

a)   an  essential  part  of  the  performance  

to  assist  the  dancers,  as  regards  appropriate  speed,  definite  rhythm  
Music   b)   10  
and  good  phrasing.    
c)   co-­‐ordination  and  understanding  between  the  dancers  and  the  
 musicians  is  vital  
perfect  co-­‐ordination  and  understanding  between  the  musicians  
d)  
themselves  
a  medley  of  tunes  appropriate  for  the  dance.  Sometimes,  some  
e)  
tunes  are  set.  
a)   Good  presence  
b)   An  appropriate  entrance  usually  developing  to  an  exciting  ending    
c)   A  range  of  clear  figures  

d)   Good  use  of  the  stage  

Overall   20  
Clear  phrasing,  with  one  pattern/step/rhythm  moving  easily  on  to  
e)  
the  next  one  
f)   Good  interplay  with  the  audience  and  co-­‐dancers  (if  relevant)  
Good  body  stature  -­‐  and  keeping  feet  under  the  body  for  pitter-­‐
g)  
patter  and  triplets.  
 

   
 Ffurflen  Beirniad  Dawnsio  Gwerin  a  Chlocsio/  Adjudicator's  Form  for  Welsh  Folk  and  Clog  Dance  

Enw  /  Name      

Cyfeiriad  /  Address      

Côd  Post  /  Post  Code      

e-­‐bost  /  e-­‐mail      

Ffôn  /  Phone      

Symudol  /  Mobile      

Profiad  Beirniadu  /  Experience  of  Adjudicating  

   

Profiad  Dawnsio  /  Dancing  Experience  

   

Profiad  Clocsio  /  Clogging  Experience  

   

A  fedrwch  ysgrifennu'n  Gymraeg?  

   
Can  you  write  in  Welsh?  

       
 

Dychwelwch  y  ffurflen  hon  i  /    Return  this  form  to      

Eirlys  Phillips,  Brynmeillion,  Bryn  Iwan,  Cynwyl  Elfed,  Sir  Gaerfyrddin,  SA33  6TE  

eirlys@brynmeillion.fsworld.co  .uk